Steps to keep your pet protected this Halloween

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Pet owners are getting into the Halloween spirit, but local Animal Services officials want to remind everyone of steps they should take to prepare their four-legged friends for one spooky night.

There's no doubt how much children love Halloween, but pets may be a little overwhelmed with all of the hustle and bustle of trick-or-treaters on Oct. 31. "It's important that you keep the dogs away in a room where they're not going to be listening to the doorbell all the time," said Xiomara Mordcovich of the Miami-Dade County Animal Services.

Mordcovich said pets are creatures of habit and seeing strangers at the door yelling in costumes may be too much for them.

Keeping a close eye on your pet is important because frequently opened doors provide a perfect opportunity for escape. "They should wear a pet ID tag with phone numbers and address in case your dog runs away," Mordcovich said. "Another device that could save your pet's life is the microchip. This device is implanted under the skin, and once it's implanted, it's implanted for life."

To keep your pet from having his own Halloween celebration, keep the candy away from a pet's reach. "It's too much sugar, and chocolate could be fatal for the animals," said Mordcovich.

As for pet Halloween costumes, make sure their costume is safe and comfortable, and there aren't any parts that can dangle off and they can chew on. Also, never leave them unattended with their costumes on.

Animal services said it's not a good idea to take your pet trick-or-treating because they may be startled by the large numbers of people on the street.

And don't forget, pets are curious, so glowing jack-o-lanterns and other decorations may end up being a hazard for them. "If you have a curious pet, make sure the decorations are out of harm's way," said Mordcovich.

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